ANDY Campbell and Robert Earnshaw are "80 per cent certain" to lead Cardiff City's attack in their opening Nationwide League match next Saturday.

ANDY Campbell and Robert Earnshaw are "80 per cent certain" to lead Cardiff City's attack in their opening Nationwide League match next Saturday.

City's twin pace kings have not always looked comfortable together, but they are working hard to make their strike partnership work. And Lawrence is clearly pleased with their progress because he has shifted his stance from doubter to believer.

Campbell has grown in confidence and looks back to his best, while Earnshaw has already scored four goals for City and is always dangerous. Too often they both make the same runs and they each sorely miss Thorne's prompting, but they looked good together against Charlton and their pace is a danger to any opposition.

"Andy Campbell is unrecognisable from two or three weeks ago," said Lawrence. "He is sharp and confident - and they have shown me over the last two games they can play together.

"As it stands now, Andy and Robert Earnshaw will start against Rotherham. That's 70 per cent - no 80 per cent - certain.

"Either of them would be desperately unlucky to be left out and they've earned a chance."

With Peter Thorne injured, Lawrence has searched far and wide for a target man of the right quality at the right price - around #800,000.

That's all the cash he has to spend on transfer fees until City's new stadium is given the go-ahead and this week it looked certain that a new attack leader was on his way from a First Division club.

Still, though, there is no sign of a new arrival and Lawrence is happier with the prospect of Campbell and Earnshaw taking on Rotherham United at Millmoor.

They looked good during the second half of City's 5-1 win at Cheltenham - and shone again last night.

It was long-serving defender Young's night, but it was also a serious test for the Bluebirds eight days before they step back to Division One level for the first time in 18 years.

Premiership Charlton arrived at Ninian Park unbeaten in their pre-season programme and started well, even taking the lead after 20 minutes thanks to some sloppy defensive work.

Danny Gabbidon failed to clear, Kevin Lisbie's shot was half blocked and the ball ran for the unmarked Jonathan Johansson to steer his shot past a stranded Neil Alexander.

The manner of that goal was a massive blow for Cardiff City, but they certainly have strength of character running through the team.

For the last 20 minutes of the first half and most of the second they produced quick, clean, accurate passing and their best display of the pre-season build-up.

The back four looked solid apart from that first half lapse, while John Robinson made a sound debut and completed 77 minutes before going off.

The former Charlton player moved inside from his starting position on the left and Lawrence said: "John starts left and rolls inside. That's the way we play.

"That is one of the main reasons I signed him. He has a natural ability to do that."

There was plenty for Cardiff City to reflect on with satisfaction and they hit back to emerge winners.

City's equaliser came after 58 minutes following Paul Konchevsky's foul on Robinson. Referee Ray Ellingham pointed to the spot immediately as Robinson went down and skipper Graham Kavanagh strode forward to fire home from the spot.

Then, with 12 minutes left, Campbell scored their winner.

The man who earned a place in the heart of every Bluebirds fan when he scored their play-off winner against Queens Park Rangers took his goal with clinical efficiency.

Substitute Layton Maxwell, who added new zip and zest to the midfield when he appeared, burst forward and laid the ball wide left for Kavanagh. The cross fell at the far post for Campbell and he steered his header back over Paul Rachubka.

The Californian 'keeper could only watch as the ball flew over his head and dropped neatly under the bar.

Campbell's goal was the signal for Young to take an active part on his party night and Lawrence sent him into attack.

"I didn't want to disrupt the back four, but I also wanted to get Scott into the game quickly," said Lawrence. "He almost scored. He can be so strong when he goes forward for a set piece."

The starting line-up last night looks pretty certain to be the same XI who run out at Rotherham a week today and Lawrence is happy with that thought.

He is still working to strengthen the squad and wants one or more new players in by that trip to South Yorkshire, but he said: "This could well be the line-up against Rotherham and if it is that's fine by me."

Injured players Gary Croft, Gareth Whalley and Peter Thorne all watched the match from the main stand. Of those three only Whalley has any chance, but he will have to play at least 45 minutes of next Tuesday's match at Forest Green Rovers to lift his match fitness level.